10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones

I was looking for something to add variety to my strength workouts. I've been doing Chalean Extreme three days a week for 6 months and just wanted something different to mix in. This gives you a good workout (not as intense as Chalean,but good), you can tighten up on the bands to get the the right resistance for you and I like that she's incorporated some creative exercises to add interest. If you have the right tension on the band and do the moves in good form, you'll really feel the workout even if you've been doing strength training for a while. The ab workout was very good - I worked up a sweat the first time through.I've done her workouts twice - not all of them each time and I found it pretty easy to get the bands right. It's not an exact science, you don't have to have it positioned perfectly - so you can move through them quickly. In the two times I've worked out, I only paused the DVD once to get the bands positioned and then it was because I had it on the wrong side of my foot. That shouldn't happen more than a couple of times as I get familiar with the exercises.Another good feature on the DVD is the ability to select the exercises you want, queue them up and it will move from one to the other without going back to the menu to select the next one. They call this personalizing your workout. Good idea.

I think this might be my first review on Amazon!I recently ordered this DVD after seeing a clip of it on another website and finding it interesting. I was a little bit worried about reviews I had read which claimed the transitions were too quick, etc. I liked the idea of the band but wondered if I might have trouble with it as I had tried using one before and it was not the most comfortable. But my greatest worry was that it would be another purchase that would end up collecting dust.The first thing I will say is that in the short time since receiving it, I have probably exercised more often and more regularly than I have in years, which counts for a lot.What I like about it:1. The instructor.The instructor and setting are always important factors in exercise videos. Amy Bento is pleasant, professional, and motivating in this. Her form is good in the moves she demonstrates and her explanation of them is clear. There are also parts where she asks you to breathe and emphasizes her own breathing, which adds to the reminder and helps you remain conscious of this part we sometimes forget.2. The routineIt really is great that the segments are only 10 minutes, and the customizing option is great. You can select one or as many of the routines as you want and it will play out in the order you choose. I try to pick three (including the stretching segment) and alternate every second day or so. Even on days when I have been very tired, I told myself I would do just one and ended up doing more. I also like how each segment begins with a warm-up and ends with a stretch. These are fairly quick but are nice to have. With regard to the transitions, I would say that watching the segment at least once is very helpful. I did so myself and initially could understand what some people meant. The warm-up is often quick as she goes from one move to the next, and it could be hard to follow the first time around simply because you are not familiar with it. But don't let this scare you. It is not complicated and once you know what to expect, it is fine. With time, you will also get used to changing the band with each exercise without falling behind, and holding it in the best way to get the most out of the exercises. It may not be ideal but the first time or two, you can press pause if needed to get adjusted. I have done this occasionally (I kept the remote close by) but it did not prevent me from enjoying it and getting a good workout. So though it might feel quick at first, the routine in its entirety is not rushed. I honestly feel the routine is productive and interesting and makes great use of its time. There is certainly no time wasted.3. The bandIt is great that the DVD comes with the band. The band is a good length and you can tighten it if necessary. It is a piece of equipment that offers good resistance and helps with certain exercises and does not take up a lot of space.I have struggled to make exercise a more regular part of my life and so far, this DVD has really helped. I am so pleased it was not a purchase to have gone unused.

I bought this DVD last year and have used it once so far. Here I would like to mention that I am not new to workout DVDs and I have been pretty regular with a couple of them in the past (one was Karen Voight) - even got results that I was happy with. I wanted to try something new and ordered three - this being one of them. I ended up disliking all three of my new choices (the two others were by Tami Lee and Denise Austin, respectively). This one does come with a band - flimsy as it is, it works ok. After having been disappointed by these three poor (boring and dull) choices, I have recently joined group exercise classes at the gym.

I came to know Amy Bento's workout style from the "Blast Off Belly Fat" DVD (the one with the red cover). There are two "Blast Off Belly Fat" DVD's; however, the one with the blue cover only features Suzanne Bowen as the instructor while the one with the red cover has varying instructors, including Suzanne.With regard to this video, as with most of the reviewers, she does move VERY quickly between each move. However, she does let you know ahead of time how many sets, and counts it down so you're aware of when it's going to change up. I was caught a bit off guard at first, but after about 3 mins into the first routine, I was fine. It just takes getting used to. I would also suggest buying another power band. The one that they offer with this video (the same one they offer with their other DVD's), tangles very quickly. It takes time to get it undone and THAT can contribute to slowing you down with a routine that moves as quickly as Amy's. A suggestion: I bought a nice power band by Giam that doesn't bunch up or tangle anywhere near as much as this power band.I enjoy the DVD a lot. I own this one and Suzanne Bowen's Pilates DVD with power band. They're both similar in that both DVDs have an arm routine, buns/thighs routine, abs routine, total body and a stretch. The difference is that, as you can imagine, one uses the Pilates method while the other is more traditional workout moves. I like them both, but I have to admit that I am more of a strength training individual (i.e. a female who likes using weights) than I am a Pilates type. I do enjoy Pilates; however, I am not overly flexible and I am more muscular so I am more inclined to go with the power band routine that is more like strength training.Regardless, you won't go wrong with either one. It's more a preference in your workout style. And I know this is supposed to be a review about Amy Bento's routine, so let me punctuate this by saying once you get used to her method and style, "Buy it. You won't be disappointed."

This dvd is fantastic. I have had it for two weeks and can already see results.As many reviewers say, it is quite fast but a lot of the problem with this is how easy it is to position the band quickly rather than the speed of the exercises themselves. I spent a couple of days doing the routines without a band so I wasn't having to focus on too many things at once. My biggest advice would be to invest in a NON-LATEX band as the one used in the dvd is flimsy and not easy to use. Changing band made all the difference for me.What I like about the routines is that they give you an overall workout even though it is aimed at novices. The only areas I don't feel are covered adequately are the calves, and I think the tricep exercises could be better but it is easy to resolve these yourself once you get the hang of things. I have also adjusted a couple of the exercises, eg, one of the abs exercises is quite demanding if you have had children.

Excellent content! Just grab it and do it! At the and of DVD You can create Your own set of workouts just by pushing remote controller button and selecting workouts presented in this DVD in an order You wish.

Perfect for the job and good delivery

Bought it for myself to help regain fitness after an op, however found it to be too fast and furious for me. However my daughter found it ok .

This is a great DVD! I like the way it's broken down into ten minute workouts and you can concentrate on targeting specific areas. The pace is quite fast, but the more you do it the more familiar you become with it. I usually do two different workouts most days and after one month I'm really starting to feel toned. Great value for money!